| Author |
 Topic  |
|
hnewman
USA
380 Posts |
 Posted - 08/27/2009 : 08:59:51 AM
|
I seem to be collecting old runner plastic. Some I can reuse for crappy trail conditions but most is just hanging in the barn collecting dust.
I have wanted to try toggles on my tugs and necklines instead of snaps. Since I have trouble with my fingers getting really cold (poor circulation because of my diabetes)and I am tired of dealing with frozen snaps I thought toggles would be worth trying. I handled for Neil at a race last winter and he uses toggles and boy was that nice and easy to work with.
Since I have all this runner plastic I decided to make toggles from the plastic. I am testing this out right now with my team. What I did was cut 3 inch pieces and drilled two holes to weave rope through. I am using two pieces of the plastic since one seemed too flexible. Instead of weaving the tug right into the plastic I just took a short piece of rope to weave and I am able to loop the tug loop (where the snap was hooked) right to this rope. This way I have a modular piece so if this does not work I can easily put the snap back on or if it does work, I can carry extra plastic toggles set ups if one breaks.
I do not know if the plastic I am using will be stiff and thick enough so I am testing with a few of my dogs: like Logan my malamute and my two main wheel dogs. I figure if the plastic does not work and breaks on the trail, I can easily swap the snaps back onto their tugs.
Helen |
Prairie Isle |
|
|
alpinehusky
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2009 : 12:19:40 PM
|
How about posting a photo, Helen?
Thanks Becky |
 |
|
|
hnewman
USA
380 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2009 : 12:30:08 PM
|
Geez I just noticed I spelled "for" incorrectly. So it is use FOR old runner plastic.
Becky: I will take a picture of the set up and post to my website or blog and then I will post that link here.
Helen |
Prairie Isle |
|
|
|
hnewman
USA
380 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2009 : 3:41:23 PM
|
Here you go Becky. http://www.prairieisledogtrekking.com/toggle.html
I hope the pictures help. I will be testing these out this week end.
If it works so I do not have to buy plastic and find a use for my old runner plastic I am all for that. Plus keeping my hands warmer and not dealing with frozen snaps that is a big plus.
Helen |
Prairie Isle |
|
|
|
alpinehusky
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2009 : 7:30:34 PM
|
| Neat...I hope they work for you... |
|
|
|
SledDogin
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2009 : 8:36:52 PM
|
| cool but how does it work??? excuse my ignorance |
|
|
|
hnewman
USA
380 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 09:59:25 AM
|
Instead of snapping to the loop on the harness, you just put the toggle through the loop of the harness.
They worked great this morning when I took out two different teams. Only problem was on a few harnesses the loops were rather small so difficult to get the plastic toggle through. But that can easily be fixed. It sure did make my whole set up lighter in weight. We will bevel the edges down too I think and I might try some rods to compare. But for now this worked and I do think I want to keep them modular so if one breaks I can easily put a snap or another toggle on.
Helen
|
Prairie Isle |
|
|
|
Dave Hemmins
United Kingdom
79 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 11:36:45 AM
|
Good idea. In the UK old runners where used as brushbows on dryland rigs but then the rules where changed and brushbows are no longer allowed to be flexible. As we get little to no snow I now use band saw blades before the teeth are ground on as runner eliminating the need to recycle plastic runners.
Dave |
www.eekonoo.co.uk |
|
|
|
SledDogin
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 2:21:47 PM
|
| that sounds cool but wouldn't the toggle slip out of the harness loop??? |
|
|
|
hnewman
USA
380 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 3:52:21 PM
|
I suppose it could, but if the dog has the tug line tight, it stays put. Even if the line has slack so far no problem. I know others use round toggles and I do not think they have problems with them slipping out.
I remember owning a coat as a child that had toggle type "buttons" on it. Same concept.
Helen |
Prairie Isle |
|
|
|
SledDogin
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 4:38:26 PM
|
| OK as long as it works that's good! much better then snaps |
|
|
|
isutsipaaq
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 9:57:09 PM
|
My 2 cents...
On northern baffin island we use toggles exclusively for attaching our dogs to the lines and Inuit have been using this methods for hundreds or thousands of years. In -45 celcius, you quickly learn that snaps do not work and if they do you will freeze your hands rapidly to get your dogs on and off their lines. Traditionally toggles were made from bone and ivory. Usually they are left permanently attached to the harnesses at the tug lines. I have a really beautiful one made by an elder from walrus tusk, it was a christmas gift to me last year! These days most people make them out of used runner plastic or white "teflon" plastic, which is actually pieces of UHMW. Some people still make them out of bone and ivory though. I carve all of mine out of old runner plastic or if I don't have enough I order small pieces from Lee Valley. I find a dremel tool is amazing for carving them. I think you would have more luck if you worked on shaping them like a cresent moon. If you email me I can send you pics of mine. I also make the line toggles for my fan hitch and the main toggle for my "pituk" out of carved runner plastic. I have never had any break or come undone when I have followed the tradition way of shaping them. This is a really fun project if you are into carving or recycling, and once you use well shaped toggles you'll never go back to metal snaps! |
|
|
|
BluMoon
Norway
12 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2009 : 3:36:41 PM
|
The toggles can really be made quite small, even down to maybe 1.5 x 0.5 inches. I also use standard runner plastic, just one piece, and the toggle goes straight through the tug line loop without having to do any sort of double-looping. It's a very clever dog that would manage to back the toggle out of the loop. The toggles held all last winter's race season.
More to the point, I now feel secure that there are no weak points where the harnesses are secured to the tug lines. Too often, a bronze snap has come apart because of an over-eager dog, right before the start of a training run or race! |
|
|
|
dog musher
USA
358 Posts |
|
|
hnewman
USA
380 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2009 : 5:14:05 PM
|
Lacey
I just loop the harness loop over the toggles. So far they have been working just fine. I have taken the dremel and smoothed the edges which helps.
My toggles are modular--which most toggles are not. Usually they are either directly connected to the loop on the harness or the loop on the gangline tug. If a toggle breaks this way I can easily put another on or just use a snap.
I have an old dog that does not pull anymore but loves to go out with the team. Even her toggle stays put even though her tug is not tight.
Helen |
Prairie Isle |
|
|
|
rhum
USA
337 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2009 : 10:57:48 AM
|
The only bummer I see with these is that they appear to be built into the line. So if the line is chewed,or needs to be replaced for some reason it looks like the toggle would need to be cut off and re-fidded (if that's a word) onto a new line.
Are there any designs where the tug can be seperated from the toggle? i.e. not built into the tug? |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
use for old runner plastic
